The Airborne Laser, being developed by a Boeing Co.-led team for missile defense, successfully performed its first in-flight test against a target missile, achieving a major milestone, Boeing said.

The ABL, a modified Boeing 747-400F aircraft that took off from Edwards Air Force Base during the Monday test, carried a laser system built by Northrop Grumman Corp. in Redondo Beach. The Northrop laser system measures atmospheric conditions to allow the fire control system to better aim at the target.